Tactile trigger finger safety cue for firearm or other trigger-activated device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a tactile cue which provides a safety reminder to the user of a firearm or other trigger-activated device. A tactile stimulus, preferably either an indentation or protrusion, is positioned on the firearm or other device where the user&#39;s finger should rest, off the trigger, until the firearm or other device is “on target” and pulling the trigger is appropriate. In preferred form, the tactile cue is placed on one or both sides of a trigger guard or if no trigger guard is present, on the frame or body of the firearm or other device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a safety device for firearms, or anyother type of tool or weapon, which are activated by a trigger. Theinvention provides a safety reminder in the form of a tactile cue whichcan be felt by the user's trigger finger when the finger is in a “safe”or “off trigger” position. The tactile cue provides a reminder to theuser to keep the trigger finger in the safe position, i.e., off of thetrigger, until the weapon or device “is on target.”

BACKGROUND

[0002] It is a basic tenant of firearm safety that one should neverpoint a gun at anything or anyone which they do not intend to shoot. Asan additional measure, in order to prevent accidental discharges, oneshould not place their finger on the trigger until the gun is pointed atthe chosen target and the user is ready to shoot, i.e. the gun is “ontarget.” These rules of safety apply not only to firearms and othertypes of guns, but also to trigger-activated tools, such as electric orpneumatic nail guns.

[0003] It may take considerable time and practice for one to acquire thehabit of always keeping the trigger finger in the “safe” position. Thisproblem is especially prominent among those new to the use of firearmsor other trigger-operated devices. Previously, there has not been ameans for reminding the user to maintain this safe practice other thanthe presence of an instructor or partner.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a tactile cue as a means to remindthe user that the trigger finger is to be kept in a “safe” position,i.e., off of the trigger, until ready to fire. The present invention isembodied in the form of a notch, indentation, dimple, bump, protrusionor protuberance positioned such that it provides a tactile stimulus tothe user's trigger finger when the finger is in the “safe” position.This tactile stimulus means or device may be positioned on the firearmor device's trigger guard or on another appropriate position on theframe of the gun or the body of the tool. The stimulus means is easilyformed as a depression (absence of material) or as a protrusion(addition of material).

[0005] In preferred form, the tactile stimulus means positioned suchthat it would stimulate the more sensitive tip portion of the triggerfinger. Also, if desired, the tactile stimulus means may be applied onboth sides of the trigger guard or device such that the safety cue willfunction ambidextrously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0006] Like reference numerals are used to indicate like partsthroughout the various figures of the drawing, wherein:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a close-up, fragmentary view of a trigger guard thatincludes the present invention;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of a handgun wherein the user's triggerfinger is in the “safe” position and overlies the tactile stimulus meanson the trigger guard;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a pictorial view substantially like FIG. 2 in which thetrigger finger has been moved to the “on target,” ready-to-fire positionon the trigger.

PREFERRED MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention may be embodied in many forms and may beput to use on many different devices. As described in the summary of theinvention, the tactile stimulus means itself maybe embodied either as adepression or a protrusion properly positioned on the device tostimulate, i.e., be felt by, the user's trigger finger when it is in the“safe” position. Although the preferred embodiment described belowrelates to a handgun, the invention may be employed on any type offirearm or gun, either with or without a trigger guard. Likewise, thissafety device may be employed on trigger-operated tools such as stapleguns or nail guns. As used herein, “firearm” is intended to encompassall of the above-described devices.

[0011] Referring now to FIG. 1, therein is shown at 10 a portion of afirearm with particular focus on the trigger (12) and trigger guard (14)portion. Generally, the firearm (10) includes a frame (16) with a gripportion (18). The trigger guard (14) creates an opening (20) into whichone's trigger finger must be inserted in order to engage and press thetrigger (12).

[0012] The present invention is shown in FIG. 1 in the form of a grooveor notch (22) formed on lateral slides of a forward portion of thetrigger guard (14). In practice, the tactile stimulating notch (22) needonly be {fraction (1/32)}-{fraction (1/16)} inch in depth in order to bedetected by the very sensitive tip of a user's forefinger. Likewise, abump or ridge of similar height could be substituted for the groove (22)in this position.

[0013] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, therein are shown pictorial viewsof a semi-automatic hand gun held by a user in which the trigger fingeris in the “safe” position and “on target,” ready-to-fire position,respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensitive, forward portion of theuser's forefinger (trigger finger) (24) lies directly on the tactilestimulating reminder notch (22) or cue when the trigger finger is in theproper “safe” position. It can be seen in both FIGS. 2 and 3, thatapplying the notch (22) or other cue means to both lateral sides of thetrigger guard 14 allows the invention to function and ambidextrously.FIG. 3 shows the trigger finger (24) moved onto the trigger and to the“on target” or ready-to-fire position. By viewing FIGS. 2 and 3, it canreadily be seen that this invention may be retrofitted to existingdevices and firearms as well as designed into new products withoutdetracting in any way from the form, function or appearance of thefirearm or other device.

[0014] Some firearms or other trigger-activated devices do not have atrigger guard (14) as shown in FIGS. 1-3. In such case, or even in thepresence of a trigger guard, a notch, groove or protrusion may besituated on the frame (16) of the firearm (10) or other device inalignment with where the trigger finger (24) would rest when in the“safe” position.

[0015] The embodiment of the present invention shown and describedherein is that which is preferred by the inventor at the present time.It is to be understood that many variations and modifications could bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Therefore, my patent protection is to be defined only be thefollowing claim or claims, properly and legally construed, including byuse of the doctrine of equivalence and reversal of parts.

What I claim is:
 1. A tactile safety cue for a firearm or othertrigger-activated device, comprising a tactile means positioned on thefirearm to provide a stimulus to a user's trigger finger when the fingeris in a “safe” position off of the firearm's trigger.
 2. The safety cueof claim 1, wherein the tactile means is positioned on a trigger guard.3. The safety cue of claim 1, wherein the tactile means is positioned ona frame or body portion of the firearm.
 4. The safety cue of claim 1,wherein the tactile means includes a notch.
 5. The safety cue of claim1, wherein the tactile means includes a protrusion.
 6. The safety cue ofclaim 1, wherein the tactile means is positioned to provide stimulus toa tip portion of the trigger finger.
 7. The safety cue of claim 1,comprising tactile means positioned at substantially symmetricalpositions on opposite sides of the firearm so as to provide the tactilestimulus ambidextrously.
 8. The safety cue of claim 7, wherein thetactile means includes a notch.
 9. The safety cue of claim 7, whereinthe tactile means includes a protrusion.
 10. The safety cue of claim 7,wherein the tactile means is positioned on a trigger guard.
 11. Thesafety cue of claim 7, wherein the tactile means is positioned on aframe or body portion of the firearm.
 12. A tactile safety cue for afirearm or other trigger-activated device, comprising atactile-stimulating surface portion positioned on the firearm to providea stimulus to a user's trigger finger when the device is being held in aready position with the trigger finger off of the firearm's trigger.